Applications are due by 11:59 pm on November 1st. Applications are now submitted digitally. Please review the information below to apply!

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

 

The program is jointly supported by the Legislative Council of the Alaska State Legislature, the University of Alaska, and the Ted Stevens Foundation.

Primary responsibility for the academic administration of the program is placed with the University of Alaska Southeast. All stipends and travel expenses are paid through UAS and all credit hours are granted by UAS. Credit earned are readily transferred to UAA. Financial aid is easily transferable to UAS.

The Statewide Program Coordinator is Assistant Professor Glenn Wright at UAS. He acts as the academic supervisor for the interns while they are in Juneau and he conducts the weekly seminar.

The UAA campus coordinator is Associate Professor Forrest Nabors.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• How can I participate in the program and staty on track to finish my degree?

  Prof. Nabors: It is possible that the credits that you earn in this program can be applied to your degree requirements. If your major is Political Science, the likelihood is good. We encourage students who wish to go to apply to the program and to initiate a petition requesting that credits earned in Juneau may be counted in lieu of some required courses.

• Do internships lead to job opportunities?

  Prof. Nabors: Often, they do. Many have launched their careers as legislative interns, and many interns have become full-time, legislative aides immediately after graduation. These are excellent first jobs in many different kinds of careers.

• How much is the stipend?

  Prof. Nabors: The stipend can vary each year. Usually it is close to equal to the income received from a student job.

• What year is the best to attend?

  Prof. Nabors: For most students, spring of the third year of studies or the equivalent amount of credits accrued, is the best time to participate. However, students with fewer accrued credits have participated and performed well. If you are close to graduation and are interested, you might want to consider delaying graduation in order to go. The program can be an excellent stepping stone from your studies to a career, and for most students, the program makes sense financially, because you are likely to receive a stipend.

• My major is not Political Science and I do not plan a career in politics or government. How would this program benefit me?

  Prof. Nabors: Government is now very involved in the civic, professional and economic lives of Americans. No matter your major or your future career plans, more experience in and knowledge of the work of government will help you better understand the regulatory or political environment in which you live and work in the future. It is possible that your experience at the State Capitol will improve your candidacy for future job opportunities in your chosen field. You will certainly gain a more informed view of the life and work of Alaskans in general.

For more information, visit the website for the statewide program at UAS or contact Professor Nabors.

HOW TO APPLY

Application requirements and guidelines are provided in more detail on the statewide program website.

The parts of the application:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Two to five page research proposal
• Five to fifteen page writing sample
• Two confidential letters of recommendation (must be emailed directly from recommending faculty to Professor Nabors)

Apply here to the Ted Stevens Legislative Internship

APPLICATION DEADLINE

The deadline is November 1st at 11:59PM. Be sure to meet the deadline as no late or incomplete applications will be accepted. Results of the selection process will be announced by November 15.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING BUT ARE NOT YET ELIGIBLE.

You are strongly encouraged to plan ahead! In preparing for the program be sure to take some political science courses, especially courses in American Government.

You should also develop your writing skills, obtain experience in conducting research and acquire a basic knowledge of work skills.

Your campus coordinator, Associate Professor Forrest Nabors, will be happy to give you further advice on how to develop your qualifications, so that you are eligible for consideration for the legislative internship.

UAA Coordinator
Associate Professor Forrest Nabors
Department of Political Science
fanabors@alaska.edu